drop bar recommendations
#1
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drop bar recommendations
I currently ride Nitto B123s and Nitto Noodle bars. The track drops are quite comfortable when in the drops (perhaps a bit too low), but I have less hand positions and riding on the tops and shoulders with these bars is barely adequate. I also love the Noodle bars because of the excellent hand positioning at the top/shoulders, but the drops are not quite low enough. Basically, I'd like some sort of hybrid between the two -- wide tops, plenty of shoulders, and track-style drops.
Anyone know of such a beast? I have read that the old Cinelli Criteriums might be the solution, but I have never ridden these. What other bars are out there that are an excellent compromise between road and track bars?
thanks.
Anyone know of such a beast? I have read that the old Cinelli Criteriums might be the solution, but I have never ridden these. What other bars are out there that are an excellent compromise between road and track bars?
thanks.
#2
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Well, if you like the Noodle bars except for where the drops fall, you could try lowering your stem or, if you have a threadless stem, try a new stem with an angle closer to horizontal.
If you like the tops and the slight flare of the Noodle bar drops, Nitto also makes a traditional "randonneur" handlebar (B-135) with more sweep on the tops and more flare to the drops. But these bars have a very shallow drop so you might be back to fiddling with the stem anyway. The B-135 bars come in two widths - 42 cm and 45 cm. The 42 cm bars are quite narrow on top (about 39 cm) and not for everyone. The wider bars make for good climbing on single-speed and fixed gear bikes - lots of leverage when out of the saddle. They don't look at all like track bars or road bars though so they might not be for you. See Ben's Cycles: https://tinyurl.com/6prco9
If you like the tops and the slight flare of the Noodle bar drops, Nitto also makes a traditional "randonneur" handlebar (B-135) with more sweep on the tops and more flare to the drops. But these bars have a very shallow drop so you might be back to fiddling with the stem anyway. The B-135 bars come in two widths - 42 cm and 45 cm. The 42 cm bars are quite narrow on top (about 39 cm) and not for everyone. The wider bars make for good climbing on single-speed and fixed gear bikes - lots of leverage when out of the saddle. They don't look at all like track bars or road bars though so they might not be for you. See Ben's Cycles: https://tinyurl.com/6prco9
#4
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Have you tried wider 123s? Or how about a Cinelli crit (65) in a little wider size. Maybe 40.
edit: I just read that you heard about the crits. I love my 65-38s that are wrapped all the way.
edit: I just read that you heard about the crits. I love my 65-38s that are wrapped all the way.
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I could go with wider 123s, but the shape just is not there on the tops/shoulders even if they were wider. I am going to look around for a deal on the cinelli - I'd like to find one without the cable grooves but only the 26.4 sizing seems to be without the grooves. Of course, I'd rather use my 26mm stem rather than buying a vintage stem.
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the shoulder on the 125 is rideable... but you could slip off of em if the conditions were right. 125 does give you more flat area and a good drop though.
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Hey,
I swapped to an Nitto B125. You are right, you only have one position ... drop part. I think you should try a short stem to get the short-flat-bar position. Also, I feel the curvy shoulders are more bullhorn-like when it is closer to your body. (Just for a record, B123 has deeper drop than B125.)
I was gonna switch back to the classic road drop (like B115), but I am pretty happy with a short stem.
T
P.S. this stem is 40mm.
I swapped to an Nitto B125. You are right, you only have one position ... drop part. I think you should try a short stem to get the short-flat-bar position. Also, I feel the curvy shoulders are more bullhorn-like when it is closer to your body. (Just for a record, B123 has deeper drop than B125.)
I was gonna switch back to the classic road drop (like B115), but I am pretty happy with a short stem.
T
P.S. this stem is 40mm.
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yo i have 46" nitto track drops and i think there the greatest plenty of room on top and a good drop! i also have really wide shoulders.
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I have a set of Soma 456 drops that I swap in from time to time (I have like 4 bars that I rotate between).